Despite the challenges of the day at Ironbull Ultra Trail in Wausau, Wisconsin, the final finisher, Justin Gaiche, discovered that overcoming fear was the biggest hurdle in his journey.
Drop bags are a perk that can and should be taken advantage of for a greater chance of success on race day. Try to mitigate problems by preparing yourself with gear, clothing, nutrition and other useful items that will make the day more enjoyable and increase your chance of reaching the finish line.
Even for the most solitary personality, group runs can add a fun, social and challenging element. Here are some ideas to help make group runs more appealing and approachable for every runner.
Five months after signing up for my first ultra, I crossed the finish line 11 hours, 51 minutes, and 23 seconds after running 50 miles. I’ve been reflecting on what my first ultra has meant in the grand scheme of things, and it’s given me some insight into how ultra marathons are fundamentally different from shorter races I’ve run—even longer triathlons. Here are some things I learned.
Coaching and being coached should be an ongoing, give-and-take relationship. It can give back to everyone in ways far beyond planning workouts and executing a perfect race day. When we invest in each other as people first, there are no limits on the richness that may emerge.
It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of race day, so one of the biggest things trail and ultrarunners can do is prepare themselves in advance for their race day needs, and shift their focus to resting, polishing mental strategies and getting to the line feeling organized, well-rested and confident in their planning and preparation.